Are You A Good Fit? - Rugged Outdoor Cycling and Canoeing Trips

What does "strong" mean?

There are three things we look at to determine your suitability for a Hard Maple trip. We want you to be "a good fit". The three aspects are fitness, skills, and your comfort zone. Each trip is rated from 1 to 7 in these three categories and if you don't think you have the proper levels for the trip, we suggest you investigate an alternative excursion.

Fitness Levels

1 You never exercise. You don't like to feel sweaty or "out of breath".

2 You exercise less than 1 hour per week, although you do walk the dog for 30 minutes most days.

3 You get vigorous exercise for 1-2 hours per week. This might be some combination of biking, swimming, running, tennis, hockey, soccer, gym etc.

4 You exercise almost every day (3 to 4 hours per week) and have good endurance. You can bike for 2 to 3 hours at a time on flat terrain. You can carry a backpack weighing 12 kg (27 lbs) for one kilometer.

5 You are able to ride for 4 to 5 hours at a time with some hills. You can get up and do it again the next day. You consider yourself strong and healthy. You can carry a backpack weighing 18 kg (40 lbs) for two kilometers.

6 You have experience riding 5 to 6 hours per day on any terrain. You can carry 23 kg (51 lbs) in mountainous terrain.

Skill levels

Mountain biking

2 Rookie - You rode when you were younger and you hope that "it's like riding a bike!"

3 Beginner - You are confident on tarmac and you are ready to tackle gravel roads. You are eager to learn new skills.

4 Competent - You can easily handle gravel roads or trails and can ride single track if there are not too many roots and rocks. You understand your gears and how to anticipate upcoming terrain. You can change a tire.

5 Proficient - You can handle most single track but sometimes have to dismount to get over obstacles. You have good balance at slow speeds. Given the right tools, you can adjust brakes, replace spokes, and true a wheel.

6 Expert - You have excellent skills and confidence. You can ride all but the most technical single track and you rarely have to get off your bike to walk over obstacles.

7 Master - You live to mountain bike, riding as often as possible, summer and winter. You probably compete on advanced technical terrain.